Background Information on our Seminar Speakers
About Dr Martin Gibson - Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Dr Gibson has worked for the Health and Safety Executive as a Principal Specialist Inspector (PSI) Occupational Hygiene since 1986. In this time he has been actively involved in assessing the risks to health from exposure to a whole range of hazardous substances, including asbestos, in a wide range of industrial and other workplace situations. Since 2008 he has focused almost exclusively on asbestos as portfolio holder for this topic. His work on asbestos has led to his recognition as a Specialist Member of the Faculty of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS).
Martin has given, and continues to give, regulatory advice and best practice guidance to employers and He led the technical input to HSE's policy on the "Duty-to-Manage" requirement of the Regulations (Regulation 4) and has assessed the work done by many duty-holders in compliance with the requirements.
In his capacity as technical lead for asbestos in HSE Martin is or has been involved in many other asbestos matters including; primary author of HSE's technical guidance on asbestos work methods "Asbestos, the licensed contractors' guide" (HSG 247) and the correspondence guidance on asbestos sampling and analytical work "Asbestos, the analysts' guide for sampling, analysis and clearance procedures" (HSG248) written recently published new guidance in January 2010 on asbestos surveys ("Asbestos, the Survey Guide") and their role in assisting compliance with "Duty-to-Manage";. He is currently involved in preparation of new guidance on the control arrangements for work in the non-licensed asbestos sector and is working on an update of the Analyst guidance (HSG248).
About Amanda Stubbs - Trowers and Hamlins LLP
Amanada is one of the Partners in the Manchester Office of Trowers and Hamlins LLP. She specialises in environmental law, liability for waste management, ground water protection and risk management, and waste management legislation.
About Jon Murthy - UKAS
Jon Murthy has headed up UKAS' marketing activities for the past 4 years. Part of this work includes raising awareness of UKAS accreditation to Central and Local Government, Industry and SMEs as to the benefits of accreditation to UK plc. Whilst the campaign is active across most UK sectors, the safe management of asbestos is an important area and so UKAS has carried out a great deal of work to provide Local Authorities, Housing Associations and the business community with the information they require.
UKAS is the UK's national accreditation body. It has been appointed by the Government to assess and declare the competence of organisations. UKAS' constitution requires that it acts in the public interest. It receives Government funding to raise the levels of understanding of accreditation to ensure that businesses are aware of the pitfalls of procuring services non-accredited suppliers.
